China and the West: A Fascinating Chapter in the 19th Century San-pao Li, Ph.D. Department of Asian and Asian American Studies California State University,

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Presentation on theme: "China and the West: A Fascinating Chapter in the 19th Century San-pao Li, Ph.D. Department of Asian and Asian American Studies California State University,"— Presentation transcript:

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China and the West: A Fascinating Chapter in the 19th Century San-pao Li, Ph.D. Department of Asian and Asian American Studies California State University, Long Beach October 11, 2001

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2 Some Defining Characteristics of a Modern Society * Emphasis on efficiency and utility * Prevalence of rationalism * Scientific and technological advancement * Due respect to individual worth and dignity * The concept of progress * High level of literacy * Sound social welfare system

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3 Some Defining Characteristics of a Modern Society * High GNP and per capita income * High degree of urbanization * L’esprit de lois * A pluralistic society * Shared concern for ecologically healthy environment * Adequate health care delivery system

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5 Modernity (Modernization) Modernization involves the systematic, sustained, and purposeful application of human energies to the “rational” control of man’s physical and social environment for various human purposes. Benjamin Schwartz (Harvard University)

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6 Modernity (Modernization) Modernity is always an incomplete state of becoming.

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11 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization T’ung-chih Restoration (1862-1874)  Chinese ego was severely battered  Government appeared hopeless and demoralized  The Taipings devastated much of China  British and French navies brushed past Taku defenses  The emperor fled to Jehol and died there

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12 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization T’ung-chih Restoration (1862-1874) The Restoration, for all its obvious influence on later periods, was NOT the seedbed of 20th-century movements to fashion a new China, but the last great effort to reassert the validity of Chinese traditional institutions.

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13 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization T’ung-chih Restoration (1862-1874) The Restoration was perhaps the most elaborate, the most consistent, and the most fully documented conservative program in history. Mary Wright, The T’ung-chih Restoration

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17 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The Self-Strengthening Movement (1874-1895) * The traditional Chinese state was attacked and mortally wounded * The imperial military was discredited * The agrarian economy was disrupted * The emperor’s prestige was dimmed * Superficial adoption of arms and technology proved unavailing * The old order was unable to respond adequately

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18 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The Self-Strengthening Movement (1874-1895) Deceptively easy to adopt new technologies Put a thin veneer over the surface of an ancient civilization

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19 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The Self-Strengthening Movement (1874-1895)  New ideas and attitudes  resulted from contact with the West remained minor elements  in the broad stream of Chinese tradition

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22 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The Self-Strengthening Movement (1874-1895)  China’s modernization was inspired by Western examples and yet had to be superimposed upon old indigenous institutions, which persisted so strongly as to slow down the need or demand for innovation.

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24 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization Faustian-Prometheanism  Faust  The old philosopher who sold his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge and power. The hero of several medieval German legends and  later literary and operatic works.

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25 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization Faustian-Prometheanism  Prometheus  A giant in Greek mythology who stole fire from heaven, consequently was tied to a huge rock on Caucasus with his liver picked by the eagles.  Having the quality of being life-bringing, creative, and courageously original.

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29 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization Reform and Revolution (1898-1912)  Realization of the true spirit or essence of Western civilization  The emergence and persistence of radical revolt against China’s cultural tradition

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31 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The May Fourth Movement (1919-1923-1930’s) The patriotic feelings and zeal for reform culminated in the incident of May 4, 1919, from which the movement took its name. 3,000+ students from 14 universities in Beijing held mass demonstration.

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32 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The May Fourth Movement (1919-1923-1930’s) Began as a socio-political reform movement Publication of the New Citizen (1902) Publication of the New Youth (1915) China’s intellectual revolution Science and Democracy

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34 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The May Fourth Movement (1919-1923-1930’s) With 400+ newspapers and magazines Vigorously spread the tide of new thought and new literature A period marked by iconoclasm, criticism, and furious destruction Left unchallenged virtually NO tradition that appeared doubtful

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35 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The May Fourth Movement (1919-1923-1930’s) Decline of traditional ethics Challenged traditional family system Emancipation of women Vernacular literature emerged The press and public education made progress Modern intelligentsia became a major factor in China’s subsequent political development

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36 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The May Fourth Movement (1919-1923-1930’s)  Emergence of  a new awareness

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37 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The May Fourth Movement (1919-1923-1930’s)  Involution vs. Revolution  The development of certain phenomena within a large cultural context that is not itself undergoing significant or basic change.

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39 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization Between May Fourth and June Fourth Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945) The Notorious Nanjing Massacre (1937) 300,000 slaughtered in Nanjing The Communist Takeover Founding of PRC on October 1, 1949 The rule of the Chinese Communists The Cultural Revolution

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44 China’s Tortuous Process of Modernization The Four Modernizations (1978-present) W From central planning to market economy W From villages to urban centers W Political ideology is losing its magical power and potency